Health minister says stringent restrictions on people’s movement may be extended for another week
28.03.2020,
18:26
Armenian Health Minister Arsen Torosyan said on Saturday during an online discussion on coronavirus outbreak that the government may extend the stringent restrictions on people’s movement for another week in an effort to slow the spread of the disease.
YEREVAN, March 28. /ARKA/. Armenian Health Minister Arsen Torosyan said on Saturday during an online discussion on coronavirus outbreak that the government may extend the stringent restrictions on people’s movement for another week in an effort to slow the spread of the disease.
Armenia declared a 30-day state of emergency on March 16. Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Avinyan, who is coordinating the state of emergency, ordered on March 24 to impose new, stringent restrictions on the movement of citizens and banned temporarily also some types of economic activity.
Armenians are only allowed to leave their homes to buy food, receive medical care and exercise. When leaving their homes they must carry IDs and filled-out forms explaining their reasons for not staying indoors.
"At the moment, the country is completely" closed" for one week. But this period can be extended for a week or even more," Torosyan said today.
The minister said that 700 beds in several hospitals and 70-80 beds in intensive care units were prepared. He also said that measures are being taken to maximize the protection of medics from infection.
Torosyan stated that the government is purchasing everything what is necessary for hospitals and doctors, however, it faces logistical problems, because the borders with neighboring countries are now closed.
As of March 28, some 372 cases of COVID-19 infection were confirmed in Armenia. 28 people recovered and one patient died. -0-
Armenia declared a 30-day state of emergency on March 16. Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Avinyan, who is coordinating the state of emergency, ordered on March 24 to impose new, stringent restrictions on the movement of citizens and banned temporarily also some types of economic activity.
Armenians are only allowed to leave their homes to buy food, receive medical care and exercise. When leaving their homes they must carry IDs and filled-out forms explaining their reasons for not staying indoors.
"At the moment, the country is completely" closed" for one week. But this period can be extended for a week or even more," Torosyan said today.
The minister said that 700 beds in several hospitals and 70-80 beds in intensive care units were prepared. He also said that measures are being taken to maximize the protection of medics from infection.
Torosyan stated that the government is purchasing everything what is necessary for hospitals and doctors, however, it faces logistical problems, because the borders with neighboring countries are now closed.
As of March 28, some 372 cases of COVID-19 infection were confirmed in Armenia. 28 people recovered and one patient died. -0-
